Immigration Detainees: Visits

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will list the permissions granted to officials from Ministries of the Interior of foreign countries, and the number of detainees seen on each visit.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: There has been one occasion where officials from a Ministry of the Interior have requested and been granted permission to visit immigration detainees in the UK. This involved a visit by an official from the Ministry of the Interior from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), during which six immigration detainees were seen.
	Documentation interviews are occasionally carried out by various consular officials from Embassies and High Commissions in the UK to establish the nationality and identity of immigration detainees. It is not possible to provide data relating to these as it could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Immigration Detainees: Visits

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 4 November (WA 99), whether they will take steps to ensure that detainees held in prisons and removal centres under the Immigration Acts have the same rights to social visits wherever they are held.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Immigration detainees held in Immigration Service removal centres and those held in prisons solely under immigration powers both have rights to social visits.
	The extent and timing of visiting hours at each Immigration Service removal centre do not need to be identical given that individual centres have different operational priorities and may accommodate different categories of detainees. However, it is reasonable for detainees and their families to be able to expect a minimum standard of visiting arrangements and we are working towards this position.
	Individual immigration detainees held in prisons for reasons of control and security have visits in accordance with procedures for which the Prison Service is responsible and no differently from other unconvicted prisoners with whom they are categorised and held. Arrangements for social visits to unconvicted prisoners, including immigration detainees, are set out in the Prison Service operating standard on prisoners' family life. It would be impracticable and undesirable to provide special visiting arrangements for a specific group of unconvicted prisoners, especially where the individuals concerned are unlikely to be held together. As such, immigration detainees held in prisons will continue to receive social visits in line with the existing Prison Service operating standard.

Gulf War 1990–91: Vaccines

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 9 October (WA 67), how the multiple vaccination process was changed since 1990–91; and for what reasons.

Lord Bach: The Armed Forces vaccination policy follows national guidelines as set out in Immunisation against Infectious Disease 1996 ("The Green Book") published by the Department of Health, and is laid down in JSP 311—Joint Service Manual of Immunological Procedures.
	It is Ministry of Defence policy to offer public health vaccinations to service personnel routinely, with boosters at appropriate intervals thereafter. Therefore it should not be necessary to administer several vaccinations or boosters together immediately before a deployment. In an emergency, or if personnel are required to deploy at short notice, then boosters or additional vaccinations may be unavoidable if personnel are not up to date. This is the same as for anyone travelling overseas at short notice. In such circumstances, full account would be taken of any other treatment or medication that an individual might be receiving at the time, balanced against the risk of contracting potentially serious diseases during deployment. The MoD has specific guidance in place to prevent certain vaccines being administered together.
	Immunisation programmes for service personnel are kept under review to ensure they develop in line with Department of Health practices, military-specific risk and threat assessments, medical advice and recommendations from internationally recognised health organisations, such as the World Health Organisation. Where military-specific risk assessments indicate a policy variation from the "Green Book" or the World Health Organisation guidance, changes would only be made following consultation with experts in communicable disease and public health medicine. Policy changes may also be driven by the availability of suitable pharmaceuticals. Changes to vaccination policy are issued to medical officers via Surgeon General policy letters, which are sent out down the single service chains of command.
	The differences between the immunisations given to service personnel in 1990–91 and the immunisations given today are summarised in an Answer given in another place on 10 June 2003, (Official Report, col. 764W).

Gulf War 1990–91: Vaccines

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 28 October (WA 25), whether they will provide a substantive answer to the question asked by the Lord Morris of Manchester (HL5094) instead of a reference to a Ministry of Defence paper, thereby providing information for those affected by the issue who do not have access to the House of Lords Library or to the Internet.

Lord Bach: The MoD paper published in January 2000 referred to in my answer of 28 October (WA 25) is available in hard copy form from the MoD's Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Unit who can be contacted as follows: by telephone on Freephone 0800 169 4495; by fax on 020 7305 2374; by e-mail at GVIU1c@mod.uk and by writing to: GVIU, 7th Floor Zone A, 2–12 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2SH.

Iraq: Prisoners Held by Allied Forces

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many prisoners are now held by allied forces following military combat in Iraq; how many have been brought before a tribunal to determine their status under Article 5 of the Geneva Convention; and in how many cases it is intended to bring charges of war crimes, terrorism or other crimes; and
	Following the war in Iraq, how many prisoners are now held by allied forces; whether each prisoner will be brought before a "competent tribunal" to determine his status, as required by Article 5 of the Geneva Convention; how many prisoners have already been released; and how many criminal justice prisoners are held.

Lord Bach: The information requested will take some time to compile, and I will write to the noble Lord as soon as I am able and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

War Memorials

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their policy towards the financing of major public monuments to the memory of those who participated in battles of historic importance to the United Kingdom.

Lord Bach: It has been a long-standing policy of successive governments that the cost of erecting memorials and associated projects are not usually met from public funds, but from private donations or public subscription. The Ministry of Defence does not have responsibility for either the funding or maintenance of war memorials. The MoD receives many requests from individuals, ex-servicemen's groups and charitable organisations seeking assistance with various projects. It would not be possible to be seen to support one project rather than another. The vast majority have worthy goals and can make an equally compelling case for support. It would be divisive and open to criticism from unsuccessful applicants, if the Government were to pick and choose which projects to support.

BAE Systems and Al Yamamah Arms Contracts

Baroness Ludford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to investigate allegations of fraud and bribery of officials with regard to BAE Systems and the Al Yamamah arms contracts; and whether the Defence Exports Services Organisation will be included in the scope of any such investigation.

Lord Bach: I will write to the noble Baroness and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Armed Forces Pension Scheme

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the current cost to individual members of the Armed Forces pension scheme of the benefits it confers; and when and by how much the cost to them has changed since the scheme was introduced; and
	What will be the cost to individual members of the Armed Forces pension scheme of the planned improvements to the scheme due to take effect in 2005.

Lord Bach: There has been no direct cost to individual members of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme for the benefits that the scheme confers since the current scheme was introduced in 1973. The scheme is non-contributory for members, with the cost of benefits being met by the Ministry of Defence.
	While members make no direct contribution, the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) compares the overall remuneration of the Armed Forces with that offered by comparator civilian employers. The AFPRB currently makes a 7 per cent abatement of the pay of civilian comparators to take account of the extent to which AFPS benefits are better than those of civilian comparators. This abatement has varied over time depending on the outcome of the AFPRB's comparisons. The abatement does not equate to the cost of providing pension scheme benefits.
	As with members of the current AFPS, members of the new AFPS will not make a direct financial contribution. The next valuation of the AFPS by the AFPRB is scheduled for the 2006 report. It would not be appropriate to forecast what the AFPRB may decide on the comparative value of the scheme. As an independent review body, they will reach their own decision on this matter.

Criminal Appeal Office: Waiting Times

Lord Kingsland: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the average time between the lodging of an application for leave to appeal against a conviction in the Crown Court after a trial on indictment and, where leave to appeal was granted, the hearing of that appeal by the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

Lord Filkin: Using the Criminal Appeal Office database it is possible only to provide a response defined by receipt in the Criminal Appeal Office rather than by receipt in the Crown Court.
	The average waiting times from date received in the Criminal Appeal Office to date the appeal was heard were:
	
		
			 Year Average Waiting Time 
			 2000 9.5 months 
			 2001 12.8 months 
			 2002 15.4 months 
			 To end October 2003 15.2 months

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made, and what remains to be done, to prepare Ministers of the Crown and the Civil Service for the coming into force of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Lord Filkin: Under Section 87(5) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, my noble and learned friend the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs is obliged to prepare a report on bringing fully into force those aspects of the Act which are not yet fully in force. This report will also report on progress made towards preparing for implementation of the Act. It will be laid before Parliament later this month.

Civil Courts

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Filkin on 6 October (WA 9), what negative impact the Government's decision not to allocate funds to modernise the civil and family courts as part of the 2002 spending review will have on the way in which the components of the modernisation programme can be implemented and the time scale of that programme.

Lord Filkin: My Answer to the earlier question on this issue explained that the investment available in the current spending period, £75 million, will allow us to improve the speed and quality of work in the civil and family courts and reduce unnecessary delays caused by manual working practices.
	Focusing the available investment on the most appropriate courts we will have a positive impact on the users of civil and family courts. We will install a modern IT infrastructure into a large number of civil sites. The targeted sites will include all care centres, all trial centres, the principal civil and family courts plus a number of sites across circuits to ensure a fair geographical distribution. This is in addition to the 61 sites included in the criminal infrastructure programme and will capture 80 per cent of all civil business. This will enable court users to access the court by use of email and we intend to develop a possession online service for housing cases.
	As I have previously explained, I am not yet in a position to make a formal announcement about other individual modernisation projects, which remain at various stages of planning. All projects will go through a rigorous internal evaluation to ensure they contribute to our public service agreements.

Credit Card Interchange Fees:OFT Investigation

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Office of Fair Trading has taken three years to start investigating interchange fees on credit cards after concerns were first raised.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Office of Fair Trading has been investigating MasterCard Interchange fees since March 2000. There is no standard length of investigation. The length of each investigation is determined by the complexity of the issues including questions of law and economics and must also take account of the parties right of defence under the Competition Act 1998.
	It is a matter for the Office of Fair Trading, as the UK's independent competition regulator, to conduct an investigation where they feel that an agreement infringes the Competition Act 1998. There is no locus for Ministerial intervention into such investigations.

Business Competitiveness Rankings

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why in one year the United Kingdom has fallen from 11th to 15th place in the World Economic Forum's overall competitive ratings.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Competitiveness rankings are far from a scientific exercise. Different exercises give different results and survey data are notoriously volatile. What matters to UK businesses is not some ranking on an artificial index but the economic reality: an extra 1.5 million jobs since 1997; the lowest-ever rates of corporation tax with a new zero rate for smaller companies; and inflation at historically low levels.

Broadband

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of Internet-enabled households currently access Internet services offering speeds of 512 kbps and above.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government do not hold data on the proportion of households connected to the Internet at speeds of 512 kbps and above. However, according to Oftel's research report Consumers' use of the Internet (http://www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/research/2003/q14intres1003.pdf), 18 per cent of respondents in Internet-enabled households surveyed during August 2003 claimed that their household used broadband to access the Internet at home.

Broadband

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many Internet-enabled households subscribed to Internet services offering speeds of 512 kbps and above in each year since 1999.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government do not hold data on household subscribers to the Internet accessing services of 512 kbps and above. Oftel collects data on the number of subscribers to higher bandwidth "always on" services offering bandwidths from 128 kbps and above. A graph showing the increase in connections between November 2000 and September 2003 is available from the Oftel website at http//www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/internet/internet-brief/index.htm. At the end of September 2003 there were 2,628,100 broadband subscribers meeting Oftel's definition.

Food Supplements

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action has been taken to promote to other European member states the methodology for establishing safe levels of nutrient intake adopted by the Expert Advisory Group on Vitamins and Minerals; and what further plans they have for promoting their policies of case-by-case reviews of published literature on nutrient safety.

Lord Warner: Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive lays out a framework for the future setting of maximum permitted levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements. The United Kingdom continues to press for European Union maximum permitted limits to be set on a safety basis, and in doing so, is using its influence in both scientific and political forums. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health intends to raise this issue with Ministers in other member states as and when appropriate. She is also seeking to arrange a meeting with Commissioner David Byrne at the earliest practicable opportunity.

Food Supplements

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What specific plans they have to liaise at political level with other European Union member states as part of their strategy for achieving the best possible maximum permitted levels for nutrients under the provisions of the Food Supplements Directive; and
	What plans they have to raise with the appropriate European Commissioner the concerns of the United Kingdom about the interpretation which the Commission may propose for Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive.

Lord Warner: Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive lays out a framework for the future setting of maximum permitted levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements. The United Kingdom continues to press for European Union maximum permitted limits to be set on a safety basis, and in doing so, is using its influence in both scientific and political forums. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health intends to raise this issue with Ministers in other member states as and when appropriate. She is also seeking to arrange a meeting with Commissioner David Byrne at the earliest practicable opportunity.

NHS Foundation Trusts: Private Patient Income

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the cap on private patient income included in the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill allows some flexibility for the independent regulator for those foundation hospitals whose level of private patient income in 2002–03 was atypically low.

Lord Warner: No, the percentage will be fixed as the percentage that applied for each National Health Service foundation trust in the financial year ending April 2003.

Nutrition

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the most recent Diet and Nutrition Survey was published; what percentage of women aged 35–49 years were found to have daily folic acid intake of less than 400 micrograms; how that level of intake compares to their recommended total daily folic acid intake from:
	(a) normal diet; and
	(b) supplemental sources for women in that age group; and
	What were the findings of the most recent National Diet and Nutrition Survey in relation to the percentage of:
	(a) women overall; (b) women aged 19–24 years; and (c) women aged 35–49 years; who had iron intakes below the lower reference nutrient intake; and
	What were the findings of the most recent National Diet and Nutrition Survey in relation to the percentage of:
	(a) women overall; and (b) women aged 19–24 years; who failed to consume the reference nutrient intake for magnesium; and
	What proportion of women aged 19–24 were found by the most recent National Diet and Nutrition Survey to be consuming less than the lower reference nutrient intake for:
	(a) vitamin A; (b) vitamin B12; (c) iron; (d) manganese; (e) zinc; and (f) copper; and whether those figures represented an improvement or a worsening of the figures found by the previous such survey; and
	What is the percentage of children, broken down by gender, who were found by the most recent National Diet and Nutrient Survey to be consuming less than the lower reference nutrient intake for:
	(a) calcium; (b) magnesium; and (c) vitamin A; and
	What is the percentage of elderly people, broken down by gender, who were found by the most recent National Diet and Nutrient Survey to be consuming less than the lower reference nutrient intake for:
	(a) calcium; (b) magnesium; and (c) vitamin A.

Lord Warner: The most recent National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS), of adults aged 19–64, is being published in five volumes. The first volume was published in December 2002. The second and third volumes were published in July 2003. The fourth and fifth volumes will be published in 2004.
	The information requested in these questions is contained in the three volumes of the NDNS of adults already published or in earlier surveys of children aged 4–18 and of older adults aged 65 plus. I am arranging for copies of all these surveys to be placed in the Library.
	Compared with figures for women aged 16–24 years in the last survey of adults in 1986–87, the proportions below the lower reference nutrient intake for women aged 19–24 in the most recent survey of adults are higher for vitamin A and iron, lower for vitamin B12 and unchanged for zinc. There are no lower reference nutrient intakes set for manganese or copper.

Nutrition

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Health Development Agency and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence have access to copies of very low carbohydrate diets revisited by Jeff S Volek and Eric C Westman, published by the Cleveland Clinical Journal of Medicine in November 2002; whether they have any plans to meet with representatives of Atkins Nutritionals Inc to discuss their experiences with such diets; and, if not, why not.

Lord Warner: The Health Development Agency (HDA) and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) have access to all published scientific papers in this area.
	The HDA is currently developing guidance on the prevention and treatment of obesity with NICE in accordance with NICE's open and transparent processes.
	The HDA has encouraged all interested parties including Atkins Nutritionals Inc, to register with NICE as a stakeholder so that they can comment during the development of this guidance. They have subsequently done so.

UNAIDS: Questionnaire

Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to submit their report, under the United Nations General Assembly agreements made in 2001, on how they are tackling HIV and AIDS.

Lord Warner: The questionnaire seeking information for inclusion in the report has not yet been received within the Department of Health. We are pursuing the matter with UNAIDS and will submit the completed questionnaire as soon as we are able. The report will reflect the Government's policy on HIV and AIDS as set out in the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV and associated documents.

London Railway Lines: Power Supply

Lord Christopher: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Davies of Oldham on 5 November (WA 119), from what dates each of the affected railways' lines serving London will have adequate power supplies to allow the new trains to be brought fully into use.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Work is not being contracted by individual lines. Instead, there are four framework contracts, one each for London, Kent, Sussex and Wessex. Individual items of work will be organised within those frameworks and, in many cases, will benefit more than a single route. The upgrade as a whole is due to be completed in 2005 by which time we all expect slam door trains to have been withdrawn from passenger service and the replacement rolling stock brought fully into use.

Independent International Commission on Decommissioning

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	(a) what has been the total cost of the IICD since it was appointed;
	(b) what has been the contribution of the Government of the Republic of Ireland towards that cost;
	(c) whether the accounts of the commission are audited;
	(d) to whom the auditor's report is presented; and
	(e) whether any such auditor's report is available.

Baroness Amos: (a) and (b) The commission's running costs are shared equally between the British and Irish Governments. The British Government's share of the costs, since the establishment of the commission to the end of September 2003 is £3,594,888. (c) The accounts of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning are audited by the Comptroller & Auditor-General in the Republic of Ireland. (d) Article 9 of the international agreement which established the IICD requires that the auditor's reports be submitted to the British and Irish Governments. (e) The auditor's report is included with the audited accounts, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The most recent audited accounts available relate to 2001: the Republic of Ireland's financial year is coincident with the calendar year.

North/South Implementation Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 9 September, what progress has been made in the provision of pensions for staff of the implementation bodies.

Baroness Amos: Since the previous Written Answer on this subject, progress continues to be made on all aspects of the pension scheme for staff of the North/South Implementation Bodies. Consultation with stakeholders in both jurisdictions has been of a more comprehensive nature than was first envisaged but the issue is being addressed and taken forward by the two administrations as quickly as possible.

North/South Implementation Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 8 September (WA 5), whether all the bodies have now supplied final accounts for 2000, 2001 and 2002 to the North/South Ministerial Council; if not, which bodies have not yet supplied such accounts; and why.

Baroness Amos: The position regarding final accounts is shown in the attached table.
	
		
			   Body   Year Final Accounts Provided to NSMC?   If not, the reason 
			 Trade and Business Development Body 2000 Yes  
			  2001 Yes 
			  2002 Yes 
			 The Food Safety Promotion Board 2000 Yes 
			  2001 No The 2001 Accounts were submitted in May 2002 and the certification took longer than anticipated. The Accounts were certified in June 2003 and will be submitted to the NSMC shortly. 
			  2002 No Audit fieldwork has been completed. Further work is required before the Accounts can be signed off. 
			 Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission 2000 No 2000 Accounts have been certified, these will be submitted shortly to the NSMC. 
			  2001 No The 2001 and 2000 Accounts will be certified by the end of December 2003. Current delay is due to a delay in finalising the accounts of the Loughs. 
			  2002 No 
			 Waterways Ireland 2000 Yes 
			  2001 2002 No No Accounts for 2001 were certified on 28 October 2003 and will be submitted shortly to NSMC. Accounts for 2002 are with the Comptrollers and Auditors General and it is expected that these will be signed off soon. 
			 Special EU Programmes Body 2000 Yes 
			  2001 Yes 
			  2002 No The Comptrollers and Auditors General have certified the accounts; they will be submitted shortly to the NSMC. The accounts are currently with Ministers in Sponsor Departments for consideration. 
			 North/South Language Body 2000  2001 2002 No  No No Departments have recently agreed the format for Consolidated Accounts for the North/South Language Body with the Comptrollers and Auditors General.

North/South Implementation Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: bjc
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 10 September (WA 122) concerning consultation about the 2003 budget with the Ulster Scots Agency, whether this was contrary to the Financial Memorandum for the cross-border implementation bodies; and
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 13 October (WA 93) concerning cross-border implementation bodies, what is meant by "normally consulted"; and whether the annual procedure is to consult the bodies on budgetary matters.

Baroness Amos: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 12 November (Official Report, col. WA 197).

North/South Implementation Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	With regard to the budgets for 2004 of the cross border implementation bodies:
	(a) on what date each body supplied a business case to the appropriate department and how much funding was requested;
	(b) on what date the budget was agreed with each of the appropriate departments in the cases where agreement has been reached;
	(c) what is the amount agreed for each budget and how it compares in percentage terms with that of 2003; and
	(d) in which cases proportionality of funding was altered since 2003, by how much and why.

Baroness Amos: Details of the date on which each body supplied a 2004 business plan to the relevant sponsor department and the amount of funding requested are set out in the attached table. Budgets for all North/South implementation bodies are subject to joint agreement by Ministers, North and South in accordance with the arrangements under the agreement made by the exchange of notes between the two governments dated 19 November 2002. This process has not yet been completed in respect of 2004, and it is therefore not possible to provide the information requested at parts (b) (c) and (d) at this time.
	
		2004 Budgets for North/South Bodies
		
			  North/South Body Date Business Plan Submitted Amount of Funding Requested (£ million) 
			 Foyle, Carlingford  and Irish Lights  Commission 5 September 2003 3.2 
			 Waterways Ireland 28 August 2003 31.7 
			 Language Body—  Ulster Scots  Agency 20 August 2003 3.0 
			 Foras na Gaeilge 13 October 2003 13.8 
			 InterTrade—  Ireland 23 October 2003 9.0 
			 Special EU  Programmes  Body 1 August 2003 2.0 
			 Food Safety  Promotion Board 16 October 2003 6.1

North/South Implementation Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether there is any expected underspend during 2003 for each of the cross-border implementation bodies; if so, which bodies may be underspent and by how much; and what are the reasons for such underspends.[HL5507]

Baroness Amos: The attached table provides details of the underspend which each of the North/South implementation bodies has advised is anticipated at this time.
	
		Expected Underspend for North/South Bodies
		
			  Body Amount of Expected Underspend Reasons for Expected Underspend 
			 Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission £1.7 million Legislation required for the Agency to undertake all of its functions has not been progressed. 
			 Waterways Ireland £4.1 million Delays in the provision of accommodation, recruitment and planning process for a number of capital projects in the South. 
			 Language Body Nil N/A 
			 InterTrade—Ireland £2.5 million Delays in the full implementation of the approved work programme. 
			 Special EU Programmes Body £0.1 million Delays on work to the Common Chapter and the establishment of the Regional Partnership Board. 
			 Food Safety Promotion Board Nil N/A

North/South Implementation Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the expected underspends during 2003 of the cross-border implementation bodies will affect their budgets for 2004.

Baroness Amos: The budgets for North/South implementation bodies for 2004 will be considered in the context of the relevant body's 2004 business plan in accordance with the normal budgetary process.
	While underspend of a body is not an issue considered in the budget process, the factors contributing to that underspend may have an impact on the development of the business plan and thus the budget.

North/South Language Body: Budget

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure have not arranged extra budget for the Language Implementation Body agreed in June.

Baroness Amos: In accordance with the agreement made by exchange of notes between both governments on 19 November 2002, the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Republic of Ireland agreed in June 2003 that the budget originally agreed for the North/South Language Implementation Body for 2003 would be increased, subject to approval of revised business plans for 2003. Revised business plans were submitted to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in September 2003 for processing through the agreed interim procedures for North/South bodies. I am pleased to report that they have now been approved by the Ministers of the sponsor departments, North and South, in accordance with the procedures.

North/South Language Body: Budget

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What role the North/South Ministerial Council has in ensuring that the decision-making process for North/South bodies is correctly applied; and how any such role was fulfilled in the settling of the budget of the Language Implementation Body 2003.

Baroness Amos: The North/South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat plays a facilitation role in progressing the administrative procedures of the decision-making process.
	The Joint Secretariat facilitated the progress of the decision on the increase in the 2003 Budget for the Language Body at the various stages in the administrative procedures.

North/South Language Body: Budget

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 11 June (WA 44) what is meant by "the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs advised the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure of the 2003 provision for the North South Language Body"; whether the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs set the budget; and, if not, what action it took.

Baroness Amos: The Answer given on 11 June (WA 44) does not state that "the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs advised the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure of the 2003 provision for the North South Language Body", but that the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs advised the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs 2003 provision for the North/South Language Body.
	I also refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 2 April 2003 (WA 132).

Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many staff there are in the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; and what are its annual running costs.

Baroness Amos: At 20 November 2003, there are 14 members of staff in the Linguistic Diversity Unit of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. The annual salary costs for these 14 staff, based on 2002–03 pay rates are £382,000.

Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Since 1999 what "future searches" have been carried out by the Northern Ireland Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure; how much each cost; when they were commenced; when they were completed; and what was the outcome.

Baroness Amos: Since 1999 the Northern Ireland Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure has undertaken six "future searches". These are:
	(1) Public Libraries Future Search conducted as part of the review of the public library service.
	
		
			   
			 Cost: £20,000 
			 Commenced: 5 November 2001 
			 Finished: 7 November 2001 
			 Outcome: The ultimate outcome was the publication Tomorrows Libraries—Views of the Public Library Sector which was published in December 2002. During the Future Search conference five key themes emerged as the basis for a shared future vision for the library service. These themes were developed further by action planning groups and provided the structure of the above publication. The department is currently working to turn this vision into a practical strategic and resourced way forward. 
		
	
	
		(2) Archives Policy Future Search undertaken to determine future direction for archives in Northern Ireland and provide the foundation for new archive legislation.
		
			   
			 Cost: £14,500 
			 Commenced: 17 October 2002 
			 Outcome: The Future Search conference identified the main issues to be addressed in developing archives policy and these were explored in more detail by a number of planning groups. The resulting draft report with recommendations is now with the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure for consideration and response. 
		
	
	
		(3) Geographic Information Future Search was carried out to help develop a strategy for this policy area.
		
			   
			 Cost: £18,000 
			 Commenced: 20 February 2002 
			 Finished: 22 February 2002 
			 Outcome: Following the Future Search conference a document entitled A Geographic Information Strategy for Northern Ireland—A Consultative Document was drafted and issued for consultation in December 2002. 
		
	
	
		(4) Football Future Search was undertaken as part of an initiative to develop a strategy for soccer in Northern Ireland.
		
			   
			 Cost: £27,000 
			 Commenced: 10 February 2001 
			 Finished: 12 February 2001 
			 Outcome: The proceedings of this Future Search conference helpd to inform the report of the Football Advisory Panel to the Minister, Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland. The report was subsequently endorsed by the Minister and formed the basis of the Irish Football Association's development plan for soccer. 
		
	
	
		(5) Ulster-Scots Future Search was undertaken to help develop an agreed and achievable strategy for the development of Ulster-Scots language and culture.
		
			   
			 Cost: £27,000 
			 Commenced: 28 November 2002 
			 Finished: 30 November 2002 
			 Outcome: The conference produced around 30 common themes and the department is working closely with the Ulster-Scots community to develop an agreed and achievable strategy using these as a base. 
		
	
	
		(6) Arts Future Search was undertaken to seek stakeholder views and help develop a coherent strategy for the development of policy in this area.
		
			   
			 Cost: £25,000 
			 Commenced: 30 May 2000 
			 Finished: 1 June 2000 
			 Outcome: The Future Search conference identified a number of key issues which stakeholders identified as being critical to the development of this sector. Following the conference working groups developed recommendations and actions to progress these key themes all recommendations and actions were published in June 2001 in the Face to Face document, a 10-year vision for Arts and Culture in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many economists are employed by the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; what are their qualifications; and how they were selected.

Baroness Amos: There are two economists currently working in the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. All economists in Northern Ireland Civil Services (NICS) are recruited and employed by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) and then posted on-loan to other NICS departments.
	Economists are recruited through externally advertised competitions at assistant economist and deputy economist level. The entry requirements for these grades are:
	Assistant Economist–"At least a second class honours degree or post graduate qualification in economics or in a subject where the study of economics is a major component".
	Deputy Economist—"At least a second class honours degree with economics as a major component and at least 2 years' post qualification experience within the last 5 years in economic/financial research and analysis".

Ulster-Scots Community: Parity of Esteem

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What they mean by "acts of completion" as used in the Joint Declaration regarding the Belfast agreement; and whether parity of esteem for the Ulster-Scots community is included.

Baroness Amos: As the Joint Declaration published on 1 May makes clear, the Government remain committed to the full implementation of the Belfast agreement in the context of acts of completion.
	The agreement endorses the commitment made by the British and Irish Governments that, whatever choice is freely exercised by a majority of the people of Northern Ireland, the power of the sovereign government with jurisdiction there shall be exercised with rigorous impartiality on behalf of all of the people in the diversity of their identities and traditions and shall be founded on the principles of full respect for, and equality of, civil, political, social and cultural rights, of freedom from discrimination for all citizens and of parity of esteem and of just and equal treatment for the identity, ethos and aspirations of both communities.

Northern Ireland Prison Service: Security

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many prison officers in Northern Ireland were approached by the Police Service of Northern Ireland about their security as the result of the raid on Sinn Fein offices in Stormont during 2002, and whether all security arranged as a result has been put in place.

Baroness Amos: The Northern Ireland Prison Service has no knowledge of any prison officer having been contacted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland about their security following the raid on the Sinn Fein offices in Stormont in 2002.
	Following a security breach last autumn, unconnected with the raid on Sinn Fein offices, special arrangements were put in place by the Prison Service to deal with staff whose personal details had been compromised. In all staff were interviewed individually by the police and advised regarding their personal safety.
	All compromised officers were given the option to apply for enhanced security measures to be installed at their home under the key persons protection scheme (KPPS) or prison service protection scheme (PSPS).
	Alternatively, officers could apply for financial assistance to move home under the Prison Service Assisted Home Removal (AHR) Scheme. Arrangements were also put in place with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to facilitate the purchase of an officer's house under the Scheme for the Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings (SPED).
	Special arrangements were put in place to accelerate applications and a special unit was set up within the Prison Service to process applications and provide advice and assistance to concerned staff.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the fitness test for entry into the Police Service of Northern Ireland is still in place; and if not, why.

Baroness Amos: The physical competence test is still in place and requires the same high standard of fitness but is now completed during training and before trainees are attested rather than during selection.
	Trainees are now given expert advice and assistance on physical fitness during their initial training. It is expected that this will give more people the opportunity to qualify for entry to the police service.

UK Bilateral and Multilateral Aid

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much (i) bilateral and (ii) multilateral official development assistance they provided to the following countries for the most recent year for which figures are available: (a) Bolivia; (b) Brazil; (c) Ecuador; (d) Guyana; (e) Paraguay; (f) Peru; and (g) Grenada.

Baroness Amos: The tables below set out development assistance provided by HMG to the countries listed. The bilateral aid figures are for the financial year 2002–03 and the multilateral figures are for the calendar year 2001.
	
		UK Bilateral aid in 2002–03
		
			 Country £ millions 
			 Bolivia 9.3 
			 Brazil 11.2 
			 Ecuador 0.3 
			 Guyana 12.2 
			 Paraguay 0.1 
			 Peru 3.4 
			 Grenada 0.5 
		
	
	UK Multilateral aid in 2001
	
		
			 Country £ millions Of which EC £ millions 
			 Bolivia 11.7 3.1 
			 Brazil 16.3 8.0 
			 Ecuador 1.1 0.7 
			 Guyana 0.6 1.0 
			 Paraguay 1.0 0.9 
			 Peru 3.1 2.5 
			 Grenada 0.4 0.0 
		
	
	Source:
	Statistics on International Development and Imputed multilateral shares

Northern Ireland Office: Questions for Written Answer

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to shorten the time taken by the Northern Ireland Office in answering Questions for Written Answer.

Baroness Amos: Every effort is made to answer Questions within the two week deadline. Sometimes, regretfully, this has not been possible to achieve, especially when large amounts of information have to be collated.

Ulster-Scots Agency: Budget

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 11 June (WA 44), whether the reduced budget for 2003 for the Ulster-Scots Agency was set by a department of the Eire Government in contradiction to the agreed arrangements; and what is meant by the word "advised" in the answer; and
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 9 September (WA 105), whether the reduction of the Ulster-Scots Agency budget by a department of the Eire Government is consistent with the agreed procedures.

Baroness Amos: I refer the noble Lord to the Written Answer given to him on 2 April 2003 (WA 132). The word "advised" can be taken as meaning "informed or notified".

Iraq: Legality of Armed Force

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which Minister was responsible for deciding to authorise publication of the Attorney-General's view of the legal basis for the use of force against Iraq while refusing to authorise public disclosure of the detailed consideration of the legal issues upon which that view was based.

Baroness Amos: The Attorney-General agreed with the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to make a written statement setting out his view of the legal basis for the use of force against Iraq.

Iraq: Legality of Armed Force

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How it is possible to obtain an accurate account of the basis upon which they decided that the use of armed force against Iraq was lawful from a summary of the Attorney-General's view of the legal position, while access to the detailed consideration of the legal issues upon which that view was based is denied.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: I will write to you shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

Sudan: Human Rights

Baroness Uddin: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they are making to the Sudanese Government against the sentence of double amputation on a 16 year-old Sudanese boy.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The promotion of human rights is one of HMG's priorities in Sudan. We raise human rights cases on a regular basis, both bilaterally and as part of the EU-Sudan dialogue. Our Ambassador in Khartoum raised this case in particular and hudud punishments in general in the last meeting between the EU Heads of Mission and the Government of Sudan in the EU-Sudan Dialogue on 29 October.
	I have asked the Sudanese Ambassador to see me to discuss this case, and to press for an end to hudud punishments.

UK-China Human Rights Dialogue

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the next United Kingdom-China Human Rights dialogue will be held; and whether, in any discussion of religious freedom, they will express concern about death sentences passed on religious leaders, in particular Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The latest round of the biannual UK-China Human Rights Dialogue was held in Beijing on 10 and 11 November. We raised our concerns about freedom of religion and belief, use of the death penalty and human rights issues in general.
	Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche was included in the list of individual cases of concern handed to the Chinese in advance of the dialogue.

Guantanamo Bay: British Detainees

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In relation to page 19 of the annual report of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Human Rights, whether at the time of the last United Kingdom visit to Guantanamo Bay the United Kingdom detainees were in sound mental as well as physical health.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: British officials last visited the British nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay from 8 to 10 September. The visit did suggest that the British detainees are increasingly frustrated by their continued detention but the officials were not in a position to assess their mental health. However, we understand from the US authorities that the medical facilities, including psychiatric care, at Guantanamo Bay available to the detainees are of a high standard and are the same as those for US military personnel.

Iraq: Death Penalty

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will make representations to the President of the United States during his State visit that the United Kingdom is opposed to the death penalty under all circumstances; and that it should not be imposed in Iraq so long as the United Kingdom shares power in the Coalition Provisional Authority.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The United Kingdom's position on the dealth penalty is well known—we oppose the use of the death penalty in all circumstances. With reference to Iraq, the death penalty is currently suspended under CPA Order Number 7.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many carcasses of red deer, other deer and wild mammals have been examined in each of the past 10 years; and how many were found to be infected with bovine tuberculosis in each of the last 10 years.

Lord Whitty: Table 1 shows the number of wild and farmed deer carcasses investigated for TB between 1992 and 2002 and the number of samples where mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) was found following bacteriological culture. Data are not separately available for red deer.
	
		Table 1 
		
			 Year Total number of deer tissue submissions investigated by Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) Number of confirmed TB cases in wild deer Number of confirmed TB cases farmed/park deer Total number of deer confirmed with TB 
			 1992 50 0 1 1 
			 1993 33 1 0 1 
			 1994 21 1 0 1 
			 1995 * 3 0 3 
			 1996 +17 11 0 11 
			 1997 11 3 0 3 
			 1998 37 6 1 7 
			 1999 49 7 3 10 
			 2000 39 3 6 9 
			 2001 28 0 1 1 
			 2002 54 3 10 13 
		
	
	* Data not available + Most accurate data currently available
	Table 2 shows the number of badger carcasses from road traffic accidents (RTA) examined and the percentage found to be infected with M. bovis between 1992 to 1996 in England and Wales.
	
		Table 2 Number of road traffic accident (RTA) badgers and percentage of M. bovis infection 1992 to 1996 in England and Wales
		
			 Year Total number of RTA badgers sent for post-mortem Percentage of M. bovis infection in RTA badgers 
			 1992 163 8.6% 
			 1993 230 13.5% 
			 1994 401 10.7% 
			 1995 485 10.1% 
			 1996 608 13.7% 
		
	
	*The randomised badger culling trial (RBCT) was implemented in 1998. The RTA survey results are embargoed until the Trial reports.
	The RTA survey was suspended in 1997 pending completion of the report on bovine tuberculosis in cattle and badgers by Professor John Krebs and the Independent Scientific Review Group. This suspension resulted in a loss of data. Professor Krebs recommended the reintroduction of the RTA survey, particularly for areas of new breakdowns. The Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) took this recommendation on board when it was formed, and a limited RTA survey recommenced in 2000.
	Table 3 shows the number of badgers taken by Defra and the percentage found to be infected with M. bovis between 1992 to 1996 in England and Wales.
	
		Table 3 -- Number of Defra-taken badgers and percentage of M. bovis infection 1992–96 in England and Wales
		
			 Year Total MAFF/Defra-taken badgers sent for post-mortem Percentage of M. bovis infection in MAFF taken badgers 
			 1992 1054 20.0% 
			 1993 1093 27.4% 
			 1994 1708 22.4% 
			 1995 1691 25.1% 
			 1996 2104 22.8% 
		
	
	Data are only available up to 1996. The ISG has recommended that pending completion of the randomised badger culling trial, interim reports on numbers and locations of badgers culled and TB prevalences should not be published in order to avoid encouraging illegal action against badgers, deterring participation in the trial and to protect the trial's statistical validity.
	There are also two research projects under way which are looking at TB in wildlife other than badgers. Summary details are given in the table below:
	
		Table 4
		
			 Title of Research Project Start Date End Date 
			 The risk to cattle from M. bovis in wildlife species other than badgers 1 May 1999 30 April 2004 
			 The risk to cattle from wildlife species other than badgers in areas of high herd breakdown risk. 1 January 2000 28 February 2004 
		
	
	The research projects are proceeding according to plan. Following completion the findings of each project will be published.

Farms: Tuberculosis Testing

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Following the survey carried out by the British Cattle Veterinary Association published in May 2003, which showed that 48 per cent of farms listed as being overdue a tuberculosis test should not have been on the list, whether these apparent overdue errors were due to inefficiencies within the offices of divisional managers; and, if so, what action they have taken to improve the accuracy of data on their tuberculosis database.

Lord Whitty: We are aware of the BCVA survey. The nature of TB testing is such that most TB tests are completed on or shortly after their due date. Delays in the submission of test results from local veterinary practices, or delays in the input of those test results on to the database when they have been received at animal health offices, could result in some tests appearing as outstanding when the tests have been carried out.
	Early in 2002, pressure of work following the foot and mouth disease outbreak may have led to delays in the input of test results on to the database, but this position is now much improved.
	Herds with tests overdue by more than three months are now put under movement restrictions. Because of this, careful checks are made to ensure that all tests that have been done (and results received) are entered on to the database. This initiative, alongside the efforts of local veterinary practices, has reduced the number of overdue TB tests to below the number overdue prior to the foot and mouth disease outbreak.

European Union Fishing Laws: UK Breaches

Lord Mason of Barnsley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What breaches by the United Kingdom of the European Union fishing laws have been revealed by the European Commission; what action they intend to ascertain the truth of these allegations; and by what procedure the United Kingdom can appeal.

Lord Whitty: The European Commission has commenced formal proceedings against the United Kingdom under Article 226 of the EC Treaty and Article 26(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 2371/2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the common fisheries policy.
	The Commission considers that:
	(i) the United Kingdom has not provided its competent authorities with the sufficient means to perform their tasks of inspection and control, as laid down in Article 1(2) of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2847/93 establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy;
	(ii) the United Kingdom has not ensured in a sufficient and effective way the compliance with the Community rules in force concerning control measures, notably inspection and monitoring of all fishing activities within its territory and within the maritime waters subject to its sovereignty or jurisdiction;
	(iii) insufficient and ineffective control has been observed in particular with respect to those obligations related to the use of the VMS (vessel monitoring systems) by vessels operating in the UK waters, to the recording of the exact amount of catches in the logbook, to the submission of sales notes, to the submission and recording of landing declarations, to the submission of transport documents and to the establishment of a validation system comprising in particular cross-checks and verification of data in order to ensure respect of the obligations laid down in Articles 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14 and 17 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2847/93;
	(iv) the United Kingdom has not taken the appropriate measures against the natural or legal persons who do not comply with the rules in force of the common fisheries policy, including proceedings capable of effectively depriving those responsible of the economic benefit of the infringements or of producing results proportionate to the seriousness of such infringements, effectively discouraging further offences of the same kind, and is of the view that the United Kingdom has failed to fulfil its obligations under Article 1(2), Article 2(1) in connection with the Article 3(6), Article 6(3), Article 8(1), Article 13(1–3), Article 14 (1 and 2) and Article 19 (1–3), and Article 31 (1 and 2) of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2847/93.
	The Government have two months in which to respond and to demonstrate compliance with their obligations under Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2847/93. If the Commission is not satisfied with the Government response it may take preventive measures as provided for in Article 26(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 2371/2002 and issue a reasoned opinion under Article 226 of the EC Treaty. Beyond that the Commission may refer the issues to the European Court of Justice.
	Effective enforcement is integral to the success of the common fisheries policy and to efforts to conserve fish stocks. The Government are taking the Commission's criticisms very seriously; are currently consulting with the Scotttish Executive, the Welsh Assembly government and the Northern Ireland authorities, and expect to submit a postive response to the Commission early in the new year.

Potatoes: Disease

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How often imported potato stock is tested for disease control purposes.

Lord Whitty: Defra inspectors carried out over 1,000 visual inspections of potato lots from outside the UK during the 2002–03 season and 451 laboratory tests for ring rot and brown rot. Defra aims to inspect all imports from third countries and a proportion of intra EU consignments depending on the level of risk. In addition, all imported seed potatoes entering the seed potato classification scheme are tested for the presence of potato ring rot.

Potatoes: Disease

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Government of the Netherlands carry out checks on potatoes exported to the United Kingdom.

Lord Whitty: The Netherlands carries out regular surveys for potato ring rot and potato brown rot as required by EC legislation. We understand that in addition, the Netherlands carries out a ring rot and brown rot test on every lot of seed potatoes produced in the country, including those exported to the UK.

Potatoes: Disease

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will seek compensation from the Netherlands following the outbreak of potato ring rot.

Lord Whitty: The cause of the outbreak is still under investigation. Once the source has been confirmed, a decision will be taken on any further action that is necessary.

Potatoes: Disease

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps the Dutch authorities are taking with regard to placing restrictions on potato movements from the farm of origin and from contiguous farms.

Lord Whitty: The Netherlands are still undertaking tests at the farm of origin, and will take action in compliance with the terms of the EC Directive 93/85/EC on the control of potato ring rot.

Potatoes: Disease

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the contingency plans for the control of potato disease were last reviewed.

Lord Whitty: The contingency plan for potato ring rot was reviewed during 2003, before the current outbreak, and is available on the department's website. The contingency plan for Colorado beetle was reviewed after an exercise based around a simulated outbreak in 2002. Other pests and diseases are covered by a generic plant health contingency plan which was last reviewed in 2002.

Potatoes: Disease

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many inspections were carried out in the last year for which figures are available on potato seeds by the plant health and seeds inspectors.

Lord Whitty: During the 2002–03 season, 425 visual inspections were carried out by Defra's plant health and seeds inspectors of seed potatoes grown in England and Wales. In addition, 133 samples were taken for laboratory testing for ring rot and brown rot.

Publicly Owned Utility Companies

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which European treaties or legislation are the basis for any United Kingdom regulation governing the creation and generation of publicly owned corporations which provide services relating to national rail, urban passenger transport, the generation and distribution of electricity, and potable water supplies and urban drainage.

Baroness Crawley: None.

Migrant Workers: Protection

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to sign and ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families which was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1990 and which entered into force on 1 July.

Baroness Crawley: The Government have no plans to ratify the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. The scope of the convention is wider than the UK's existing immigration laws. No EU states are signatories and most of the 12 existing signatories are migrant workers' countries of origin. The Government consider that they have already struck the right balance between the need for immigration control and the protection of the interests and rights of migrant workers, who have the protection of our existing commitments under international law.

EU Draft Constitutional Treaty

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What institutions will have responsibility for interpreting, implementing and enforcing any new constitution for the European Union.

Baroness Crawley: The European Court of Justice will be responsible for ensuring respect for the law in the interpretation and application of the constitution. Implementation of the constitution will be carried out by the member states, the Council, the Commission and the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Belarus: Religious Freedom

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will make representations to the Government of Belarus on the decree banning a number of religious organisations, including the Ahmadiyya Muslims.

Baroness Crawley: The UK, with EU partners, has made several representations to the Government of Belarus on their religion law, both before its signature by President Lukashenko in October 2002 and then during 2003, urging the authorities to respect religions and beliefs in all forms. In April 2003, the Government supported EU co-sponsorship, with the United States, of a UN Commission on Human Rights resolution on Belarus. This expressed deep concern about restrictions on religious organisations. Our Ambassador in Minsk has also raised our concerns with the Belarusian Foreign Minister. General human rights violations in Belarus have led EU member states, including the UK, to suspend ministerial contacts with their Belarusian counterparts.